How to defeat breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most malignant tumor, is considered to be the leading cause of deaths in women between 25-50. But if discovered in its earlier stage the disease can be treated successfully.

Breast cancer is a huge health threat for Indian women. One out of 10 women either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Typically Indian women get married, breastfeed children and still fall prey to breast cancer. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, greater is the chance of crossing the five-year survival rate.

 Dr Siddhharth Sahni, consultant breast surgeon, Artemis Health Institute, cautions….
‘The youngest patient I saw was of 28 and the oldest was of 90. The average age at which breast cancer afflicts Indian women is around forty, which is about, 10-15 years younger than the west.  In at least 80 percent of the cases diagnosed women have no risk factors.

Becoming breast aware is important for women, regardless of their age. Look out for these changes in the texture of your breasts.

• Painless lumps
• Any change in the breasts felt that should be brought to the specialist’s notice.
• Lumps or thickening of the tissue.
• Pain
• Discharge from the nipple
• Unusual appearance or sensation
• Tethering of the skin, as if being pulled from inside.

Every month examine your breasts one week after you had your periods. Learn the right technique from your gynaecologist. Between 20-40 have a clinical examination done by the doctor every year to evaluate your risk factors for breast cancer and after 40, get a mammogram done every three years. In case you have gone the implant way to enhance your natural assets, while getting a mammogram done, inform your radiologist about the implants. You might get MRI of breasts done together with a mammogram to evaluate your risk factors.

October is the breast cancer awareness month, celebrated with the purpose of encouraging women to participate in the awareness programs to detect the disease with time and increase the chances of survival.

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